Bid to stop escalation of violence

They expressed hope that Thailand could emerge from the political confrontation without a repeat of former violence. 

Samana Jantasetto, a senior monk in the Dhamma Army, which is holding demonstrations opposing the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, expressed concern that his fellow protesters were becoming agitated from listening to emotionally charged speeches made daily against the government. Jantasetto said he had spoken on the Dhamma Army rally stage a few times, but now felt the negative emotions of the protesters had been heightened to a point that could move them to act. There was little he could do to diffuse the tensions, he added.

Both anti- and pro-government activists were also at the meeting, organised by Mahidol University’s Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies – however, they ended up exchanging fierce words.

Tul Sitthisomwong, leader of the anti-government multi-coloured shirt movement, said fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was the root of the crisis. He also added that because Prime Minister Yingluck was not willing to apologise for the retracted blanket amnesty bill, the situation had worsened. “I think the premier won’t apologise. What’s more, she is even blaming those who oppose [the blanket amnesty bill],” he said. 

Tul added that since 2009 the red shirts had been spreading hate speech and violence, and were now looking to instigate another violent confrontation. He added that he no longer trusted Yingluck to run the country. 

“I don’t think they understand democracy, the rule of law, or justice,” Tul said, referring to the red-shirt leaders. “I hate those who incite people to kill one another – I wish they would simply die.”

Red Sunday group leader Sombat Boonngam-anong was visibly upset by Tul’s words and said the opposition Democrat Party would likely stop at nothing to provoke violence, in order to drag the army into staging a coup. He called for an immediate cessation of hate speech used on both sides.

National Human Rights Commissioner Nirand Pitakwatchara said he had witnessed enough from both camps. “We don’t want this protest to lead to violence and the loss of life – Thai society has already lost more than enough. 

“The political struggle must be carried out democratically because anything else will deepen the crisis and lead to violence,” he said. “A military coup or reliance on His Majesty the King [for a royally appointed Prime Minister] is something that should no longer occur.”